In a move that shook the NFL to its core, Myles Garrett—fresh off a 23-sack season and his second Defensive Player of the Year award—was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday. The deal, which sent star edge rusher Jared Verse and three high draft picks to Cleveland, instantly makes the Rams a Super Bowl contender. But before he packs his bags for Hollywood, the 30-year-old pass rusher took a moment to say goodbye to the city that shaped him.
Garrett took to social media Monday night to share a heartfelt message for Cleveland, and it’s the kind of class act that reminds us why fans love the game. “Nine years,” he wrote. “It’s hard to put into words what that really means when so much of your life has been shaped in one place, around one team, and with one community behind you.”
From the moment he stepped on the field as a rookie, Garrett said he felt embraced by the city’s loyalty and resilience. “Cleveland made me tougher. You challenged me. You taught me about perseverance, about showing up even when things aren’t easy, and what loyalty really looks like,” he wrote, referencing everything from the highs and lows to the “inclement weather and difficult seasons.”
The defensive end specifically thanked the Dawg Pound for packing the stadium every Sunday, for the kids wearing his jersey, and for the criticism that pushed him to be better. “I wish I could have done more for you,” he admitted, showing a humility that’s rare among superstars.
Garrett also expressed gratitude to the Haslam family, his teammates, coaches, training staff, and everyone in the Berea facility. “Football is the ultimate team sport,” he said, “and I’ll always be grateful for the brothers I went to battle with and the people behind the scenes who pour themselves into this organization every single day.”
He didn’t forget the broader Northeast Ohio community, either. Through school visits, foundation work, and just living life there, Garrett said he saw the heart of the place. “No matter where life or football takes me, this will always be a place I’m proud to call home.”
The trade sent shockwaves through the league, with rams players reacting to the shocking move with a mix of excitement and disbelief. Meanwhile, nfl analysts unanimously approved of the browns' haul, calling the package of Verse and three high picks a franchise-altering return.
For Garrett, though, the message was clear: he gave Cleveland everything. “What I can say with complete honesty is this: I gave this city everything I had. I suited up and wore those colors with pride, and I don’t regret a second of being part of this storied franchise.”
He closed with a line that will stick with Browns fans for years: “Loving you is easy. Leaving you is the hard part. Thank you for nine unforgettable years.”
